The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung Heralds a Return to V-8-Powered Sports CoupesCar and DriverCaleb MillerThu, September 10, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleMercedes-AMG CLE 646 Packs a 637-HP Twin-Turbo V-8Mercedes-BenzMercedes-AMG has revealed the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, the second car in its Mythos series. Production will be limited to just 30 units.The CLE 646 is motivated by a 637-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that is connected solely to the rear wheels.Mercedes-AMG cut 375 pounds from the curb weight of a CLE53 through the use of carbon fiber and by removing interior niceties such as the rear seats.Back in January, Mercedes-AMG teased a new high-performance version of the CLE-class coupe, the second car in the brand's limited-production Mythos series. Now the track-ready beast has been revealed in full, and the Mercedes‑AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung looks just as mean as we expected.Mercedes-BenzSpezialanfertigung roughly translates to "custom-made" in English, and the CLE 646 will be extremely rare, with only 30 units set to be produced. Unsurprisingly, every single one has already been spoken for. The road-legal CLE 646 is based on the AMG CLE53, but has undergone drastic changes.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe big news lies under the hood, where Mercedes stuffed a twin-turbo V-8 engine producing 637 horsepower (or 646 PS, hence the name). The 4.0-liter engine also churns out 627 pound-feet of torque, and it features a flat-plane crankshaft design to minimize rotating mass and improve throttle response.Mercedes-BenzThe engine employs three separate cooling circuits to stay in its ideal operating window. There is a high-temperature circuit for the engine and two low-temperature circuits focused on charge air heading into the turbos, the transmission oil, and the 48-volt electrical system. The V-8 engine emits a roar through a unique exhaust system developed with help from Akrapovič that uses titanium to shed weight.The CLE 646's muscle is sent directly to the rear wheels, one of the most significant changes versus the CLE53 upon which it is based. Instead of all-wheel drive, power is routed to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission and an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential. Mercedes-AMG says the CLE 646 will rocket its way to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds. 124 mph arrives in a claimed 11.4 seconds, and the top speed is listed at 193 mph.Mercedes-BenzWhen it comes to handling, the CLE 646 is fitted with a specially developed steel sprung coilover suspension with four-way adjustable dampers, which have low-speed and high-speed rebound and compression settings that can be set independently. To slow down, the car uses ventilated and perforated carbon-ceramic brake discs measuring 16.5 inches up front and 14.2 inches at the rear. The front discs are clamped by six-piston fixed calipers, while the rear axle features single-piston floating calipers.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe styling is just as wild as the powertrain, with an aggressive stance provided by a body that measures 2.4 inches wider and features additional reinforcements to maximize stiffness. Those bulging front fenders, which have huge air outlets carved into them, are fashioned from carbon fiber, as is the rest of the front end, side sills, hood, roof, and rear bumper. Mercedes claims that the CLE 646 weighs around 375 pounds less than a CLE53, helped by other changes such as a polycarbonate rear window and rear side windows and a lighter 12-volt starter battery.Mercedes-BenzThe front end is covered in intakes, and along with looking badass, they also help cool the engine and brakes. The grille now extends all the way to the front splitter, and is joined by a sizable hood vent. At the rear, there's a ginormous diffuser, stacked quad exhaust outlets, and, of course, an unmissable rear wing with a manually adjustable center section. Mercedes says the extreme aerodynamics produce over 550 pounds of downforce at top speed. The CLE 646 also rides on 20-inch forged wheels, with 305/30 front tires and 335/30 rear tires.The interior takes an equally extreme approach, ditching the rear seats and acoustic insulation material and sporting a simpler sound system. There are also fewer drive modes and assistance systems, cutting the number of controls on the steering wheel, and the CLE 646 is fitted with racing bucket seats. There's an optional Performance package that brings six-point harnesses, and the door panels are also now made from carbon fiber.The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung follows Mercedes-Benz's first Mythos car, the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, a wild roadster based on the SL63 but missing a roof or windshield. There's no word on how much the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung costs, but given its limited production run, we have to imagine it's quite a bit more than the CLE53's $78,850 starting price.➡️ Skip the lot. 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